Before Amy Winehouse had a monkey on her back, she had a barn owl on her shoulder. [DListed]

Punk rock chef Anthony Bourdain makes QOTSA wear god-awful Christmas sweaters, and that's reason enough to watch his holiday cooking special. [BWE]

Stephen Merritt broods about the wheels on a Volvo. [Pitchfork]

Britney Spears is so sorry for her VMA performance that she's going to go on the Emmys to apologize to the poor, defenseless people who watch the Emmys. [Hollywood Rag]

Beth Ditto doesn't care about Led Zeppelin. [Idolator]